Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has already made a huge splash on Steam, even before its official release. Set to launch on September 9, 2024, the game opened early access to players who pre-purchased the Gold and Ultra Editions, allowing them to play four days in advance. This head start has drawn massive attention, with a peak of 134,000 concurrent players, making it one of Steam’s top games during its early release window.
The game, developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment, follows Captain Titus, a superhuman Space Marine of the Ultramarines Chapter, as he fights against the relentless Tyranid swarms. Drawing comparisons to games like Gears of War and God of War, Space Marine 2 blends brutal melee combat and third-person shooting, and players are loving the adrenaline-packed action.
Early Access Impact
The early access period has boosted Space Marine 2 to the top of Steam’s sales charts, demonstrating the high anticipation for the title. It’s not just the numbers that are impressive; the game has garnered “Mostly Positive” reviews on Steam with over 7,000 players weighing in. This strong reception is critical as the game has extensive multiplayer modes, including cooperative (PvE) and competitive (PvP) options. The co-op campaign, which allows players to team up with two friends, has particularly been praised for its fluidity and design.
What makes the game’s early success even more remarkable is that the server stability has been generally smooth, even with such a large influx of players. Many multiplayer games struggle with technical issues at launch, but Space Marine 2 has had few reported problems in this area. This bodes well for its full release, where even more players are expected to join in.
Game Modes and Content
Space Marine 2 offers a robust selection of game modes. In addition to the campaign, the game features Operations, a PvE mode where players battle waves of enemies, and a PvP component for those looking for competitive gameplay. The developers have made it clear that future content, such as cosmetics, will be available through a live service model. The Gold and Ultra Editions come with additional perks, including cosmetics and a Season Pass, which grants access to future DLC. However, any gameplay-related content will be free for all players, a move that has been praised by the community.
Customization is a key aspect of the game. Players can unlock up to 25 perks and numerous cosmetic items to personalize their Space Marine. This level of customization, along with the game’s intense combat and variety of modes, promises significant replayability.
Faithful to the Lore
One reason for the game’s success is how well it integrates the lore of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Long-time fans of the franchise are impressed with how developer Saber Interactive has stayed true to the grimdark aesthetic and complex lore of the series. Everything from the character design to the depiction of the Tyranid hordes feels accurate and faithful to the original tabletop game.
As Space Marine 2 continues to gain momentum, it’s poised to be a standout title not only within the Warhammer franchise but also in the broader landscape of multiplayer action games. With full release just around the corner, the player base is expected to surge even more, making it one of 2024’s early hits.
Image credit: Saber Interactive, Focus Entertainment
